He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Streets Of London
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side
Yesterday�s papers telling yesterday�s news
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London,
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking,
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
In the all night caf� at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there on his own.
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Each tea last an hour, and he wanders home alone.
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
Memory fading with the metal ribbons that he wears?
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity,
For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care.
The lyrics of Roger Whittaker's Streets of London paints a somber picture of the people living on the streets of London. The verses use vivid descriptions of individuals living on the streets, such as the old man in the closed down market, kicking up papers with his worn-out shoes, and the old girl walking the streets with dirt in her hair and wearing ragged clothing. The lyrics end with the image of the old man outside the seaman's mission, wearing metal ribbons that signify his service but with memories fading, portraying a sense of abandonment.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's disbelief when people claim to be lonely when there are people living on the streets, enduring the cold and hunger every day. The singer invites the listener to take a walk with him through the streets of London, promising to show them something that would alter their mindset.
The lyrics are powerful in their simplicity, describing the plight of those living on the streets of London with empathy and realism. The song's universal theme of loneliness resonates with many people. Roger Whittaker aims to open the listeners' eyes to the harsh realities of the streets and inspire them to reach out to those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market,
Have you encountered the aged person in the vacant marketplace,
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
Creating commotion with newspaper scraps using his tattered footwear?
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side
His eyes imply a lack of self-respect, his hand casually hanging by his body
Yesterday�s papers telling yesterday�s news
Yesterday's reports featuring ancient stories
So how can you tell me you're lonely
How is it possible for you to claim yourself as lonely?
And say for you that the sun don't shine
And further believe that the sun doesn't shine for you
Let me take you by the hand
Allow me to lead you practically
And lead you through the streets of London
Wandering through the paths of London together
I'll show you something
I'll demonstrate a certain something
To make you change your mind.
That'll alter your mindset.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London,
Have you caught sight of the elderly lady who strolls the paths of London,
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
Dirtied hair and shabby garments?
She's no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking,
She doesn't have time for conversation and continues walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
With her residence merely a couple of bags she possesses.
In the all night caf� at a quarter past eleven
Inside the twenty-four-hour cafe around creation hour past ten
Same old man is sitting there on his own.
That old-man still remains seated there on his own
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Observing the world using his teacup rim as a perspective tool,
Each tea last an hour, and he wanders home alone.
With his tea time extending hours and wandering home unaccompanied.
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
Have you caught sight of the elderly individual outside of the sailor's establishment,
Memory fading with the metal ribbons that he wears?
Memory vanishing through the badge he adorns?
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity,
During winter in our city the rainfall shows some mercy
For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care.
For the umpteenth ignored legend and a world that doesn't care.
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Inman
Mum and Dad
8 track cassettes
Ford Cortina in the 70's
James you lucky bastard
You had my attention from the get go
Because
In my opinion
It doesn't get much better than that
Thanks for putting a smile on my face so early on a Sunday Morning
margaret paewai
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market,
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side
Yesterday's papers telling yesterday's news
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London,
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking,
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
In the all night café at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there on his own.
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Each tea last an hour, and he wanders home alone.
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
Memory fading with the metal ribbons that he wears?
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity,
For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care ... ❤🔥🌷❤🔥
Hangdarkt w
RIP… what an amazing singer…. Thank you for the gift of your music….🙏🙏🙏
John Fothergill
RIP Roger.....LEGEND
Marion Bainbridge
Grew up listening to Roger
Aly C
My dad died just over a month ago and he used to sing the Skye Boat Song to my sister & I when we were little and at his funeral he had The Last Farewell. 😢
Rock Ape
What great voice. I was sure he was Austrian, which he obviously was not. What happened to his parents was an horrific tragedy.
Claire💫
Rip 🙏 🕊
Bjarkey Sig.
One of his records where a big part of my childhood - rest in peace Mr. Whittaker and my condolences to his family. 🕊
Memo Music
It's amazing how music can be such a big part of our childhood, and Roger Whittaker's 'Streets of London' is one of those songs that leaves a lasting impression. Rest in peace, and may his family find solace in the beautiful legacy he left behind. 🕊️❤️
Margaret Watkins
Raised on this man's songs...RIP Roger and thanks for wonderful childhood memories that I still enjoy today...condolences to the family ❤❤❤❤
Lynn-Marie1062 Parkin
I will always love his songs What a great man he was Lots of love to his family and friends at this time RIP